One UH football player acquitted, the other pleads no contest to assault

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Two University of Hawaii football players accused of taking part in a brawl at a Waikiki nightclub earlier this year learned their fate Wednesday. Warrior receiver Darius Bright and outside linebacker Aaron Brown were each charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

One of them decided to throw in the towel and not fight the charge. The other was acquitted.

The athletes were charged after police say they got into a fight at Zanzabar Night Club in August. Both were suspended for Hawaii's season opener.

On Wednesday, Bright pleaded no contest and was granted a deferral. That means he can keep the conviction off his record if he stays out of trouble for the next six months. He must, however, serve 40 hours of community service.

His teammate, Brown, waived a trial by jury and asked a judge to decide his case instead. He was found not guilty, and says he feels vindicated.

"It's been tough," Brown said. "You know, I got my name in the paper, in the news, for good things, but everyone always remember the bad things. The bad things are always what outweigh the good. So I just gotta keep my nose clean from here, and just hope that the fans and the people of Hawaii can forgive me."

Bright, who's expected to return to the Warrior squad next year, offered no comment.

Brown was a senior this past season, and has wrapped up his UH career.

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